I had a snap on 3/8 drive 0-200 in. Lbs. sent it in for calibration after I broke some screws with it. They returned it said it was rusty and non repairable. So I don't recommend keeping torque wrenches on service trucks

 

I use the HF torque wrenches. I hope they are close to spec.

 

CDI seems to be a promising recommendation. The selection of wrenches doesn't seem quite as bewildering as some other brands. Let's say that I wanted one in-lb and one ft-lb wrench, which of the following would be preferred choices?

1501MRMH 20-150 in. lb. 1/4"
2002MRMH 30-200 in. lb. 3/8"
2502MRMH 30-250 in. Ib. 3/8"

1002MFRMH 10-100 ft. lb. 3/8"
1503MFRMH 20-150 ft. lb. 1/2"

 

I have these two models. They work great.

1502MRMH 20-150 in. lb. 3/8" 1 2.8 - 15.3 .12
and

1503MFRMH 20-150 ft. lb. 1/2" 1 34 - 197 1.4
With these I have full range of all possibilities needed. Here are some prices for you.

1502MRMH 20-150 in/lbs $109.95

1503MFRMH 20-150 ft/lbs $137.95

I hope this helps. I love these wrenches. Really nice quality.

 

Google around a bit there are several homemade calibrating devices that can be made rather simply

 

Yes, it would be better to have the in-lb wrench in 3/8" drive.

 

I think if you snap a bolt off using any TQ wrench you don't know how to use it, as if anything you'd have at least a vague feel for the TQ you are aiming for. If the wrench doesn't click I would think you would stop before snapping a bolt off, which would take quite a bit of force. You really don't know what their procedures or issues were, and the incidents may not be the fault of the wrench. Anyway, no problems here and others who have reported in here in a number of previous threads haven't made any negative points about them.

Anyway, over several decades of wrenching on various things I've found that there is no direct correlation between cost and quality.